The cutaneous mycoses is a fungal infection of the skin, very common in warm climates with high humidity. The skin is an organ where fungal infections are most frequently located in man, living in humid areas, such as the tropics, having a lowering of defenses or having undergone chemotherapy treatments are some of the possible causes of the origin of mycoses.
How can it be contracted?
Each species tends to produce its own clinical features, although often several of them cause identical eruptions, other times they are different and other times with characteristics that allow the identification of the species just by examining the patient. The source of contamination may come from another human being, an animal vector, or it may be on land. Domestic animals, dogs and cats are responsible for the transmission to man, as well as water can be a reservoir housing the germ of the disease.
Where it usually affects
It should be known that cutaneous mycosis can appear at any age, both in adults and in children, affecting different parts of the body. Certain imbalances in our body make us more vulnerable to attack by these microorganisms. The parts of the body most prone to fungal infections are the intimate areas, the scalp, the nails, especially those of the feet, although in general any area of the body can be affected.
Mycoses can be located anywhere on the body, affecting the scalp, or appear as pigmented spots on the rest of the skin, they can also cause interdigital fissures of the hands and feet or inflamed areas in the armpits and groin.
The fungus produces a form of resistance called a “spore” and can remain in an environment for months until it finds a suitable place to develop. Which can be classified as superficial and deep; Ringworm, athlete's foot, candidiasis, pityriasis versicolor are some of the cutaneous mycoses or infections caused by fungi, which can be located anywhere on the skin.
They are characterized by being frequent and contagious diseases, but they can be curable through the administration of adequate medical treatment. The original cause is obviously the multiplication of certain fungi that are normally found in some parts of our body.
These infections arise when fungi attack the outer layer of the skin, either the body or the scalp, or also certain organs and parts of the body, such as the vagina in women.
For some fungal infections to occur, it is necessary to have moist, generally warm and dirty skin, which is why cutaneous mycoses on the sole of the foot are common when walking barefoot on the floor of changing rooms or in showers of swimming pools and gyms, especially shared with other people. It is common for fungal infections to be more common in people with some type of immune system deficiency, which is medically known as immunodeficiency.
Symptoms of cutaneous mycosis
The symptoms of cutaneous mycosis vary depending on the type of fungus that affects the skin, the most common being the appearance on the body of white or reddish spots that, among others, can cause discomfort and an itchy sensation. They are the most obvious symptoms that we may be facing a fungal infection.
There are many spaces in which we are susceptible to contracting an infection of this type, such as gyms or swimming pools, the beach or places frequented by animals (cats, dogs), or spaces with high levels of humidity and high temperatures, as well as the poor hygiene that can also promote fungal growth.
Before carrying out medical treatment, it is necessary to establish an adequate diagnosis, for this, a microscope analysis of the secretion of the lesion or a sample of the affected skin is performed and once the fungal or fungal infection is confirmed, the administration of medications is common. antifungals, whether local or general, which will depend on the lesion and its location.
To avoid this type of infection, it is advisable to administer, under medical supervision, topical or systemic antifungal agents. Keep the skin dry and clean, washing it frequently with soap and water, drying the skin very carefully, especially in areas of folds and keeping the skin outdoors as much as possible; changing diapers frequently in young children, using disposable single-use diapers; It is important to change socks frequently, and avoid closed shoes that keep the foot warm and humid, use clean towels and personal use, in showers and public toilets, use plastic sandals.
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